Our Writers
Toy Tales is North America’s premier independent toy journalism website with a nostalgic focus. Our writers document the toys, games, and objects that shaped childhood experiences and continue to resonate today. Through original reporting and research, we explore the stories behind notable and entertaining toys and games, the people who created them, and the contemporary individuals and companies working to preserve and extend their legacies.
Editorial
Todd Coopee, Editor-in-Chief
Todd Coopee is a writer, editor, toy historian, and collector whose work explores the history of toys, collecting, and material culture. His research focuses on the toys and games that shaped childhood across North America and the ways they inspired curiosity, creativity, and experimentation during the formative decades of popular culture.
He is the award-winning author of Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake® Oven and has researched, curated, and written about vintage toys & games for more than two decades.
Todd is also the founder of Sonderho Press, an independent publishing imprint dedicated to producing well-designed books that document the history of collecting, antiques, and everyday objects shaped by creativity and craft.
You can reach Todd at todd@toytales.ca.
Joanna Hauser, Managing Editor
Joanna Hauser is a writer and researcher with a sustained interest in the hobbies and passions that shape popular culture.
Her interests include comic books, flea-market collecting, and classic television, with particular enthusiasm for series such as The Prisoner, Wonder Woman, and Star Trek.
You can reach Joanna at joanna@toytales.ca.
Denis Savoie, Creative Director
Denis Savoie is a creative director, senior graphic designer, and photographer whose work is informed by a lifelong appreciation for nostalgic objects and popular culture.
Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Denis has developed visual work across branding, photography, print, and digital media. His interests include vintage toys, Ultraman, and Godzilla.
He also continues to pursue personal creative projects, including the development of a LEGO town that he co-founded with his son.
You can reach Denis at denis@toytales.ca.
Staff Writers
John DeQuadros, Senior Writer
John DeQuadros is a professional toy photographer and pop culture writer with more than 20 years of experience in the field.
A lifelong enthusiast of popular culture, he is an avid retro gamer and a dedicated collector, with particular interests spanning film, television, comics, and gaming properties from the late twentieth century to the present day. His work has appeared online and in print, including on StarTrek.com, The 8-Bit Pickle, and in publications such as Smarter Than Jack, Kaiju Ramen Magazine, The 100 Project, and regional newspapers.
In addition to his editorial work, John has collaborated with a wide range of toy and collectibles manufacturers, contributing photography and creative support to projects involving both established and emerging brands across the industry.
You can reach John at john@toytales.ca.
Columnists
Nicolas Ricketts, Columnist
Nicolas Ricketts writes the Game Night Classics column for Toy Tales, exploring the design, history, and cultural influence of board games and tabletop play. His work examines how games reflect the systems, values, and ideas of their time.
A former collections curator and board game specialist at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, Nicolas also writes about collections care, paper artifacts, and preservation practices for hobbyists and collectors.
You can reach Nicolas at nicolas@toytales.ca.
Brian Washington, Columnist
Through his From the Record Shelf column at Toy Tales, Brian A. R. Washington explores the world of children’s records and vintage audio storytelling, examining how vinyl albums extended the worlds of television, education, and play for generations of youth and adult listeners.
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Brian is a versatile artist who has been drawing since early childhood. He developed interests in children’s books and music at a young age and later expanded into story writing and music composition. His work often brings together writing, illustration, and music, particularly in children’s storytelling and vocal characterisation.
You can reach Brian at brian@toytales.ca.
Contributors & Collaborators
In addition to our team of writers, we also feature selected content from creators who share our interest in vintage toys, classic games, and collectibles.
Dave
Dave is a toy enthusiast who offers hands-on demonstrations of vintage toys and games through his Lucky Penny Shop YouTube channel.
Dave
Dave is creator of Toy Polloi, a YouTube channel offering repair tutorials and restoration tips for vintage toy lines.
Eric
Eric is a builder of vintage model kits and creator of the Celebrating Vintage Model Kits YouTube channel.
Julia DeKorte
Julia DeKorte is a book reviewer focused on the noteworthy people and manufacturers from the toy and game industry. In addition to Toy Tales, she is a regular contributor at People of Play
Tim Walsh
Tim Walsh is an author, documentary filmmaker, toy industry veteran, and creator of the Seize the Play YouTube channel. He is also founder of the game company, Roo Games.
Guest Contributors
Toy Tales also welcomes guest contributors to write about their areas of expertise. Previous contributors include: Anne Williams, Blake Changnon, Brian Heiler, Chris Weston, David A. Miller, Ed Lute, Graham E. Hancock, Jody Day, Jonathan Sternfeld, Jules Yap, Leslie Singer, Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, Sean Jacquemain, Tom Berges, Tony Temple.
Toy Tales will consider stories from freelance writers and collectors who have a special interest in nostalgic toys and games and re-imagined classic brands. Learn more about writing for Toy Tales.